What are the key technical points for winter feeding and management of live pigs?
Winter temperatures change drastically, which has a relatively large impact on live pig production, and the survival rate and growth rate of piglets will decline to varying degrees. In order to minimize the losses to live pig production caused by cold weather, pig farmers should actively do a good job in freezing prevention and warmth preservation in pig houses. The following technical measures can be adopted:
????1. Do a good job in cold prevention and warmth preservation in pig houses
In response to the current cold weather, pig farms must first ensure that the doors and windows of the pig houses are intact, repair the doors and windows in time, fill the leaks and gaps that let in wind, and prevent drafts from invading; ensure that the power supply, water supply, insulation and other facilities are normal, with the focus on keeping piglets in the farrowing house and nursery house warm, and create a warm and comfortable microclimate in the pig house. A temporary second-level shed (generally 2 m high) can be built above the pig beds in the house using plastic film, rainproof cloth, wooden boards and other materials, and infrared heat lamps, insulation boards, warm-air stoves, etc. can be used to warm the piglets.
Most pig farms' fattening pig houses and gestation houses are not equipped with insulation facilities. For pig houses with brick-and-concrete structures, the focus is on strengthening the insulation of the north-facing windows. Add double-layer insulation film outside the closed windows (the inner layer is breathable and moisture-absorbing linen-cotton cloth, and the outer layer is plastic film, which works better). This method can raise the temperature inside the house by about 5°C. For some free-range, semi-open single-row pig houses, the north-facing windows can be sealed with brick and mud, thick quilts can be hung outside the doors at both ends of the corridor to block the wind, and the south side can be covered with plastic film, with a layer of thick straw matting on top.
For free-range farming in rural areas, bedding straw can be appropriately increased in pig pens. Under normal circumstances, bedding straw 20 cm to 30 cm thick has an insulation effect equivalent to raising the temperature inside the house by 5°C to 8°C. However, care must be taken to keep the bedding straw dry, and replace it promptly once it becomes wet. The more humid the pig house is, the colder the pigs feel and the more susceptible they are to disease. To prevent dampness, the key is to ensure that the roof of the pen house does not leak rain, let the pigs defecate and urinate at fixed points, ensure that the place where the pigs lie is clean and dry, remove manure every day, and discharge wastewater in time.
2. Strengthen feeding management
First, appropriately increase the pigs' nutrient intake. There are two ways to increase pigs' nutrient intake: adjust the feed formula and moderately increase the energy level of the feed, such as increasing the corn content in the feed by 10% to 15% or adding 2% to 3% vegetable oil, and appropriately adding compound vitamins, amino acids, compound enzyme preparations, etc. with anti-stress and antioxidant capabilities; appropriately increase the number of feedings. In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, and the pigs have a long empty-stomach period at night, so add one feeding at night to increase daily feed intake.
Second, cold feed has a relatively large impact on pigs in winter. Feed dry powder as much as possible, or mix the feed with warm water before feeding. Where conditions permit, provide clean warm water for the pigs to drink freely.
Third, while doing a good job in cold prevention and warmth preservation, pay attention to ventilation to prevent ammonia poisoning and respiratory diseases. When there is no strong wind and the weather is sunny, the south-facing windows can also be slightly opened from 12:00 noon to 14:00 in the afternoon to facilitate air exchange.
Fourth, strengthen management, especially the management of suckling piglets, so that piglets can drink colostrum in time, and provide supplemental feed to suckling pigs early to promote the growth and development of piglets. When feeding management is strengthened, the pigs' physique and their ability to resist cold and disease will be correspondingly enhanced.
Fifth, appropriately increase the stocking density. The number of pigs raised in the house can be increased by about 30% to 40% compared with summer. Using the body heat of the pigs to warm each other can raise the house temperature. Grouping is best done at nightfall. Spray the pigs' bodies with alcohol or low-concentration Lysol with an odor before grouping them. The keeper should observe the pig group to prevent the pigs from fighting.
????3. Strengthen disease prevention and control
A low-temperature and high-humidity environment can easily induce pig respiratory diseases (including mycoplasmal pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, etc.), gastrointestinal diseases (including colibacillosis, epidemic diarrhea, transmissible gastroenteritis, etc.) and various skin diseases (including mycosis, sarcoptic mange, staphylococcosis, streptococcosis, etc.). The control of winter respiratory disease syndrome should start from many aspects, such as eliminating the source of disease, improving the pig farm environment, and strengthening feeding management. Gastrointestinal diseases are mostly treated symptomatically by fluid replacement, antidiarrheal treatment, and prevention of dehydration and acidosis. Medicinal charcoal and other astringent antidiarrheal agents can also be used for auxiliary treatment. In addition, antibiotic drugs can be appropriately used to prevent secondary infection. For skin diseases, the focus is on strengthening disinfection inside and outside the pig house and on the body surface of the pigs, and doing a good job in regular deworming and related vaccine preventive injections.